Symptom Cluster of ICU Nurses Treating COVID-19 Pneumonia Patients in Wuhan, China.

Background: In treating highly infectious coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pneumonia, intensive care unit (ICU) nurses face a high risk of developing somatic symptom disorder (SSD).The symptom clusters in one population may show overlaps and involvements, a phenomenon that should be deliberately resolved to improve the management efficiency.

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the symptoms and causes of SSD of ICU nurses treating COVID-19 pneumonia. The research results are expected to provide evidence for the establishment of a better management strategy.

Methods: This study enrolled a total of 140 ICU nurses who were selected by Jiangsu Province Hospital to work in Wuhan (the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic in China) on February 3, 2020. A questionnaire, Somatic symptom disorders for ICU nurses in Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, was designed based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to cluster the symptoms and logistic regression analysis to find the risk factors of the symptoms.

Results: Five major symptoms were chest discomfort and palpitation (31.4%), dyspnea (30.7%), nausea (21.4%), headache (19.3%), and dizziness (17.9%). In exploratory factor analysis, the symptoms were classified into three clusters: Cluster A of breathing and sleep disturbances (dizziness, sleepiness, and dyspnea); Cluster B of gastrointestinal complaints and pain (nausea and headache), and Cluster C of general symptoms (xerostomia, fatigue, as well as chest discomfort and palpitation). In Cluster A, urine/feces splash, sex, and sputum splash were independent predictive factors. In Cluster B, fall of protective glasses and urine/feces splash were independent predictive factors. In Cluster C, urine/feces splash and urine/feces clearance were independent predictive factors.

Conclusion: The ICU nurses in Wuhan showed varying and overlapping SSDs. These SSDs could be classified into three symptom clusters. Based on the characteristics of their SSDs, specific interventions could be implemented to safeguard the health of ICU nurses.